Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus – What You Need to Know

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis)

LEFT: Before —- RIGHT: 3 months post treatment

For a complete overview of all of the causes and treatments for fungal, thick and ugly toenails, please read our Guide to Toenail Fungus Treatment. In it you will learn everything you need to know to make an educated decision on the best treatment for your toenails. On this page we provide detailed information on laser treatment for toenail fungus.

Laser therapy is the newest treatment we offer for fungal toenails and improves the appearance of the nails in many patients. The laser works by penetrating the nail plate and destroys the fungus under the nail. There is no pain and no side effects. Best results and the best looking toenails occur with three laser sessions and the use of specific protocol. But remember, not all thick nails are caused by fungal infections and laser only works on nails with fungal infection. In addition, most studies show laser is not as effective as the oral medications for treating toenail fungus. It is likely more effective, however, than the topical medications. Information on other causes of thick nails is available here.

For best outcomes, laser treatment will be repeated at 3 months and at 6 months.

Why is The Foot and Ankle Center the Best Seattle Clinic for Laser Treatment?

We will confirm that you have a fungal infection before treating you. There are many causes of thick nails and the laser only works if a majority of the nail problem is caused by a fungal

LEFT: Before ——- RIGHT: 3 months post treatment

infection. About 30% of the patients that come in requesting laser treatment of fungal nails would not benefit from the procedure. If we don’t think the laser will work for your condition we will let you know so that you don’t waste money on ineffective treatment.

Lowest cost per session in the Seattle area. Most patients have the best clearing of nails with three laser sessions, each separated by three months. Our price of $590 includes all three sessions with no additional treatment costs.

Better outcomes and better looking toenails. There is evidence that patients see better results when they have three treatments rather than one. We include the all three laser sessions in our treatment protocol at no additional cost. In addition, our GenesisPlus laser has the best results in current studies.

We treat all 10 toenails. A British study that came out a few years ago showed that in people with some thick toenails due to fungus, fungus was often found even in the normal looking toenails. Based on this study we suggest treating all 10 nails, even if some of them look normal. This helps prevent reinfection. Treatment of all 10 nails is included in the $590 cost.

We will provide realistic expectations. This is probably the most important reason. We see a lot of people who have been told that laser treatment is their best option when in fact there is little chance laser treatment will help them. If we do not think laser is the best option for you we will let you know. We will provide all of your options for treating the fungus and help you find the most effective and lowest cost option.

FAQs About Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus

How effective is laser treatment for toenail fungus?

LEFT: Before ——- RIGHT: 2 months post treatment

Laser seems to be about 60 – 65% effective for making nails look better, but newer studies may show different outcomes. This means about 60% of patients will have a better looking toenail. Our estimate is less than 25% of patients have a completely clear nail after laser treatment. This compares to studies that show about 38% of patients taking the oral medication terbenifine have a completely clear nail. So in general, we find that laser is less effective than oral medications and more effective than topical medications. You may see some clinics advertising that laser treatment is more than 80% or 90% effective. Don’t believe them – this is misleading advertising and it is not true. There are currently no studies that support these claims. Laser therapy is still a fairly new treatment and we expect to see more information available over the next several years.

Is the procedure painful?

Most patients feel no pain whatever. No anesthesia is needed.

How many sessions are required, how long between them and how long does each laser treatment take?

Initial visit: This visit is for evaluation and to determine if you are a candidate for laser treatment. This visit is covered by most insurance carriers. We’ll take a complete history and evaluate your condition. If you are a good candidate for laser treatment you will be scheduled for your first treatment. This visit is critical because there are many causes of thick and yellowed nails, and the best treatment will depend on your diagnosis. Before we can determine if laser treatment would be effective for you we may need to take a sample of your nail to send for a lab test to determine if fungus is present.

Treatment #1: At this visit the nails are thinned and the first laser treatment is performed. You are given detailed instruction on preventing reinfection.

LEFT: Before ——- RIGHT: 2 months post treatment

Treatment #2: This visit is performed 3 months after treatment #1. The nail is thinned again and laser treatment is performed again.

Treatment #3: This treatment is performed 6 months after treatment #1. This is the final laser treatment and review of preventing re-infection.

Is it essential to treat all of the toenails or can I get laser for only one toe?

Studies have shown that if one toe is infected, even normal looking toenails often have fungus hiding in them. For optimal outcomes of laser treatment it has been found to be most effective to treat all 10 nails. If we only treat the one toe the odds of reinfection are much higher, so we do not offer treatment of only one nail.

How does the laser work to treat nail fungus?

Studies are not completely clear on the exact mechanism of action, but it is thought that the laser is absorbed by the fungi causing damage before there is any pain or damage to human tissue. This occurs because of thermal damage to the fungus cells and/or photo-inactivation of the fungus cells.

Will I be able to walk out, play sports, drive, etc. after the treatment?

LEFT: Before ——- RIGHT: 3 months post treatment

Yes. You can do whatever you want immediately after treatment. There is no downtime.

How soon will I see improvement to my toenails after treatment with a laser?

On average, the big toenails will regrow completely in about twelve months and the smaller nails in about six months. Healthy new growth is usually visible three to four months after the initial treatment.

Laser Cost and Insurance Information

How much does laser treatment cost?

Our philosophy is to keep the cost as low as possible and include all treatment in your initial fees so there are no surprises. The most effective outcomes are achieved with a total of three treatments and all three treatments are included in the total cost of $590. You may see treatment advertised for less, but these prices are for only one treatment, which has not been shown be to as effective as the three treatment protocol. If you do not have insurance coverage the evaluation visit cost is $109.

Will my insurance cover laser treatment?

All insurance companies consider laser therapy a cosmetic procedure and do not cover the service. Most insurance carriers will, however, cover your initial visit for evaluation and diagnosis of your nail problem. But your initial visit, where we determine if you are a good candidate for laser therapy, can be billed to your insurance and normal co-pays will apply. As explained below, you may be able to use FSA funds for laser treatment.

Can I be treated the same day I’m evaluated?

LEFT: Before ——- RIGHT: 6 months post treatment

If a patient is traveling a long distance for treatment and they have previously been diagnosed with a fungal nail infection, we may schedule the first visit and laser treatment on the same day. In this case, a $150 deposit is required to hold the appointment. This is refundable if you give a 48 hour cancellation notification. It will also not be lost if you reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment. The remaining $440 for the laser treatment will be due before we administer the treatment.

Can I get a payment plan?

We do not offer payment plans. One of the reasons we are able to offer such a low overall cost for the laser treatment is that we do not have to spend resources billing and collecting. You can pay with credit card, cash or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards.

When is payment due?

Payment for the laser procedure in full is required before the treatment is administered. If it is determined you have a fungal infection at your evaluation visit, you will schedule an appointment for the laser procedure and pay a $150 deposit. This is refundable if you give a 48 hour cancellation notification. It will also not be lost if you reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment. The remaining $440 is due at the time of the first laser appointment, before the treatment is administered. If you fail to show for the appointment, the down payment is forfeited.

Can I use my FSA/HSA to pay for Laser treatment for toenail fungus?

GenesisPlus Laser for Toenail Fungus

Most Heath Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) may be used to pay for this treatment. Please contact your individual HSA or FSA regarding coverage.

Are Groupons and other online coupons a good deal for laser treatment?

We have seen both online coupon “deals” for laser treatment of fungal nails. These may seem like good deals at a glance, but promote extremely poor medicine. Before buying an online coupon, contact us for an evaluation in our Seattle clinic to find out if you are a candidate for laser nail treatment instead. Here are the three reasons that online coupons are such a terrible deal for patients with nail problems:

Preventing Reinfection from Nail Fungus

People who get onychomycosis usually have inherited an immune system that does not fight this fungus very well. Thus, reinfection is not uncommon. You can read more here about preventing reinfection of nail fungus. Many patients return once per year for a preventative laser session. The cost of this session is currently $290 for one treatment session of all 10 toes. This is available only to patients who have undergone a full three treatment session with us in the previous 48 months. If the nails become infected again and a full course of treatment is required, then standard three-session treatment charges apply.

Get Started Now

Contact us today to make an appointment to find out if you are a good candidate for laser treatment for nail fungus.